Robert Biale Vineyards
Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel
Napa Valley, California, USA
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Sweet nose of black fruits, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.
Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs
Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, licorice, chocolates, coffee, light earth and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.
This 9 year old Zinfandel from Napa Valley is drinking beautifully now. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel, complex and entertaining.
Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years. Tangy and spicy, rich and inviting.
I had this vintage 7 years ago, and it is drinking much better now.
Wine Enthusiasts 91 points.
Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself or with food.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$50.
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Sweet nose of black fruits, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.
Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs
Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, licorice, chocolates, coffee, light earth and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.
This 9 year old Zinfandel from Napa Valley is drinking beautifully now. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel, complex and entertaining.
Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years. Tangy and spicy, rich and inviting.
I had this vintage 7 years ago, and it is drinking much better now.
Wine Enthusiasts 91 points.
Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself or with food.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$50.
Dark purple in color with a wide reddish rim.
Fruity nose of sweet strawberries, raspberries, cherry pie, wood, licorice, spices, dried fruits, coffee, fresh popcorn, cloves, herbs, chocolates, mocha and black pepper.
Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blueberries, dried raspberries, wood, licorice, earth, spices, light vanilla and peppercorn.
Medium plus in finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a very enjoyable Zinfandel from Napa Valley. Well balanced and fruit forward with mild complexity and a nice mouthfeel. Not as spicy as I excepted.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours).
Still young and needs another 5 to 10 years in the bottle to mature properly.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$49.
Dark purple in color with a wide reddish rim.
Fruity nose of sweet strawberries, raspberries, cherry pie, wood, licorice, spices, dried fruits, coffee, fresh popcorn, cloves, herbs, chocolates, mocha and black pepper.
Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blueberries, dried raspberries, wood, licorice, earth, spices, light vanilla and peppercorn.
Medium plus in finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a very enjoyable Zinfandel from Napa Valley. Well balanced and fruit forward with mild complexity and a nice mouthfeel. Not as spicy as I excepted.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours).
Still young and needs another 5 to 10 years in the bottle to mature properly.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$49.
Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, dark fruit, currants, leather. On the palate, the same notes of dark fruit, currants and leather. Full bodied. Balanced nicely. Short finish. $50 at total wine.
Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, dark fruit, currants, leather. On the palate, the same notes of dark fruit, currants and leather. Full bodied. Balanced nicely. Short finish. $50 at total wine.
Dec 10th, 2021
Plush, ripe fruit-forward Zinfandel from Napa Valley.
This wine is deep ruby. It has pronounced intensity of youthful aromas. The aromas include primary notes of ripe black cherry, strawberry, blackberry preserves, and black plum sauce. Also, secondary notes of cedar, vanilla, coconut, and nutmeg. And tertiary notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco.
On the palate this wine is dry although it has some discernible residual sugar. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, high alcohol, medium(+) tannins, and pronounced intensity in concentrated flavors. Flavors include primary notes of ripe black cherry, strawberry, blackberry preserves, and black plum sauce. Also, secondary notes of cedar, vanilla, coconut, and nutmeg. And tertiary notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco. The finish is medium(+).
This wine has good balance, length, and intensity. It could improve with greater complexity.
This is a very good wine that is ready for consumption now.
Plush, ripe fruit-forward Zinfandel from Napa Valley.
This wine is deep ruby. It has pronounced intensity of youthful aromas. The aromas include primary notes of ripe black cherry, strawberry, blackberry preserves, and black plum sauce. Also, secondary notes of cedar, vanilla, coconut, and nutmeg. And tertiary notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco.
On the palate this wine is dry although it has some discernible residual sugar. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, high alcohol, medium(+) tannins, and pronounced intensity in concentrated flavors. Flavors include primary notes of ripe black cherry, strawberry, blackberry preserves, and black plum sauce. Also, secondary notes of cedar, vanilla, coconut, and nutmeg. And tertiary notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco. The finish is medium(+).
This wine has good balance, length, and intensity. It could improve with greater complexity.
This is a very good wine that is ready for consumption now.
Excellent zin. Very smooth and drinkable. Not overly fruity. Some spice but not overwhelming. Would get again.
Excellent zin. Very smooth and drinkable. Not overly fruity. Some spice but not overwhelming. Would get again.
Mar 24th, 2020
I like the the “Black Chicken” story about this wine.
I like the the “Black Chicken” story about this wine.
Dec 17th, 2019
